Chelsea 's tospy-turvy season has continued after the close of a hectic summer transfer window at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues splurged more than £250million on eight new faces, as new owner Todd Boehly flexed his muscles in the European market. But manager Thomas Tuchel is still rummaging for the right system and team selection, with a narrow 2-1 victory over West Ham United on Saturday going down as "lucky" by his own admission.
It was a match filled with controversy, as West Ham were denied an 98th-minute equaliser by VAR. Maxwel Cornet slotted home after picking up Edouard Mendy's spillage, but Jarrod Bowen was deemed to have fouled the Chelsea goalkeeper in the build-up. The outcome infuriated David Moyes and spared the Blues' blushes.
Here's a round-up of the latest news from Stamford Bridge.
Mendy accused of "faking" injury
Where else to start but in the 90th minute on Saturday, when Edouard Mendy was "faking an injury?" At leats that's what David Moyes reckons. Giving his reaction to referee Andy Madley and VAR official Jarred Gillett's hotly-debated decision, the West Ham boss fumed post-match: "You have seen it, it is a scandalous decision, absolutely rotten from one of the supposedly elite referees.
"It doesn't say much about whoever sent him over from VAR as well - it is an unbelievable decision against us. We feel we got back to 2-2 and it was not down to anything we have done. I support a lot of the VAR stuff, I actually think the goalkeeper dives, he is faking an injury because he cannot get to the next one - he did the same on the first goal as well. The referee somehow gets that so wrong it is incredible."
James close to new deal
Off the pitch, Chelsea are set to reward Reece James with a long-term deal. Firstly reported by the Times, the 22-year-old right-back is close to signing a new lucrative contract with the Blues, as talks over a bumper pay rise are now at an advanced stage. Stamford Bridge chiefs reportedly expect James to put pen to paper in the coming days.
The news would all but end speculation regarding a potential move away from west London, with Real Madrid linked last year. The academy graduate has already racked up 127 first-team appearances since his debut campaign in 2019-20 following a star-making loan spell with Wigan Athletic.
Get involved! Who should Chelsea offer a lucrative contract to next? Let us know your pick in the comments section.
Souness takes aim at Boehly
Todd Boehly continues to receive flack for his transfer business since taking over at Chelsea, with Graeme Souness becoming his latest critic. Writing in his column for the Mail Online, the ex- Liverpool player and manager took aim at Boehly's summer dealings.
"Unless you have a bottomless pit, the money they have spent on Marc Cucurella makes no sense, considering Chelsea already had Marcos Alonso, Ben Chilwell and, at a push, Reece James in the same position," Souness claimed. "Is Cucurella that much of an upgrade on them? I don't think so. Chelsea only seem to have taken him because Manchester City wanted him."
